Wheel-cultivator



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J.S.ANDREWS.

WHEEL GULTIVATOR.

Patented July 3,1883.

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(No Model.)V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. S. ANDREWS.

WHEEL CULTIVATOR. No. 280,488. Patented July 8, 1888.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. ANDREWS, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

WHEEL-CULTIVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,436, dated July 3, 1883.

Application filed October 12, 1852.

vater-beam to the axle or other part of the carriage, so that vertical movement of the beam is prevented; in pivotally attaching the toothbar to the beam; in mechanisms for raising or lowering the teeth, and in parts and combination of parts that will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective view of the ratchet-brace, showing its construction and its pivotal connection with the tooth-bar. Fig. 4.- is a detached view in perspective ot' the castings used in attaching the beam to the axle andthe means employed for the` horizontal movement of the cultivatorteeth.

In the said drawings, A is the axle, which is represented as being raised inthe center, so as to sufficiently elevate the rear portion of the pole B. This is the old and well-known construction common to many machines of this character.

To the horizontal portions of the axle A A', to which the wheels are directly attached; and, between the wheels and the upright portions A2 A2, I attach the cultivator-beams; and instead of pivoting the beams to the axle or at a point adjacent thereto in such a manner as to permit vertical movem ent ofthe beam, I rigidly attach the beam to the axle or interpose meehranism by which lateral movement of the beam only is permitted, preferably by making that portion of the axle angular and clamping thereto the 'casting or head C. (Shown in detail in Fig. 4.) This casting or head O is made in two parts, each part provided with a recess,`

(No model.)

O, adapted to t and contain the axle. Vhen in position, a second casting, D, Fig. 4, is provided with an eye, D, by'means of which it is attached to the head O and lateral motion permitted, but vertical motion prevented. This casting D is also provided with two fingers,

D2 D2, to which are permanently att-ached the two arms. E E, constituting the beam of the cultivator. These arms are preferably made of bars of wrought-iron or steel, and are connected at the rear end by the ratchet-braee'F, Fig. 3. This ratchet-brace F is made in two parts, as shown in the drawings, having a space between the parts to permit the free passage of the lever or handle G. One part of the brace is also toothed upon its upper face, and forms an arc of a circle having for its center the point G, where the handle is pivoted to the beam.

The tooth-bar H consists of two pieces, between which are secured the upper ends of the teeth J. These teeth are preferably bent in different shapes, so that while they are attached to the same head their poi nts travel. in separate lines, as shown in Fig. 2. The pieces forming the tooth-bar are held together by screw-bolts, and the teeth are readily adjusted for depth of cut by raising or lowering them in the toothbar. Thetooth-bar is pivotally connected with the beam at K K, Fig. 3. I

The handle or lever G, which is preferably made in the shape of a plow-handle, is pivoted to the beam at G, while its lower end is connected by a rod, L, with the tooth-bar, so that as the handle is raised the points of the teeth are thrown backward and more or less out of the ground, depending upon the height to whichv the handle is raised. In order that the handle may be secured in any position desired, it is provided with a spring-pawl, M, adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet-brace F.

Having described the construction, the operation of my invention is as follows: To adjust the teeth to the depth. of cut desired the machine may be placed upon any even surface, as a barn-floor. The wheels may be placed "upon blocks as high as the desired depth of cut. The bolts which hold the two pieces together ot' which the tootlrbarH is composed are loosened and the points of all the teeth permitted to rest upon the floor. The bolts IOO are then tightened and the cultivator is ready for work. Vhen not in use, as being drawn to the field, the handles should be elevated or thrown forward, which will throw the teeth rearwardly and out of the ground.

Vhen in position for use, the handles and with them the teeth are lowered to their proper position, and as by my improved construction the beam is rigid, so i'ar as vertical movement is concerned, the teeth are kept at the desired depth. ljf any single tooth should come in con tact with an obstacle, it would spring back and clear itself without disturbing` the other teeth of the gang. The beams permitting` of horizontal movement, the operator can easily, by manipulating the handles G, avoid injury to the plants he may be cultivating.

What l claim isl. In a wheel-cultivator, the combination, with the angular axle, of the two-part head C, having the rearward]y-proiecting ears, one

above the other, the bifureated casting D, having the flat eye D', pivoted between said ears, and the two-part cultivator-beani secured to the prongs o1' said casting, respectively, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the two part culv tivator-beam, the tooth-bar pivoted to the two parts thereof at its upper edge, the handle pivoted between the two parts of the beam and having its lower end connected with thelower edge ofthe tooth-bar7 and means for retaining said handle as adjusted, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofl llave signed my name to this Speciiieation in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES S. ANDRENVS.

Vitnesses:

E. J. PruzLrs, A. HENRY. 

